Granted, the latter isn’t quite the roller-coaster ride as the former, a West Coast motoring landmark with eight steep, hairpin turns. Still, if you’re looking for cheap thrills, Aiken Avenue has its moments.

(“Aiken Alley” had its moments, too — of infamy. It wasn’t a real alley but a nickname for the stretch of Aiken Avenue that hosted numerous bawdy houses.)

The best way to launch onto Aiken Avenue is to motor east along Martin Luther King Drive, then hang a right onto Aiken. The turn is at an angle of about 60 degrees, which means you don’t have to slow your speed as much as with a typical turn. Not that we advocate carelessness; we’re just explaining automobile physics here. Plus, the road dips fast, meaning you could bottom out if you’re not careful.

Careening along the steepness, you’ll soon notice that the brick road slopes toward either side of the curbing. Stay as close to the middle of the road as possible. Still, you’ll encounter choppy brick, asphalt patching and periodic potholes, along with random rises and dips.

There are two ways to take on Aiken. You can grip the wheel hard and putter along slowly, which is the safest method. However, especially after a few practice trips, a driver can learn to navigate the challenges by giving the wheel plenty of play. Let your vehicle sort of meander itself, taking care meanwhile to not plow into any potholes or anything else.

After awhile, you’ll get the hang of the four-wheel slalom — a unique Peoria sojourn, only on Aiken Avenue.